Giuliano II de' Medici, 1478-1516, Duc de Nemours [obverse]

c. 1513

Roman 16th Century

Associated Names
Roman 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is a relief depicting the profile of a man. The man has distinct facial features such as a defined nose and a cap on his head. There is an inscription along the edge that reads "IVLIANVS MEDICES L F P R." The material of the sculpture is dark, metallic bronze, giving it an aged patina. The sculpture appears as a circular medallion or coin, emphasizing details in the subject's expression and attire. The relief creates a three-dimensional effect against the flat background.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 8.77 cm (3 7/16 in.)
    gross weight: 315.54 gr (0.696 lb.)
    axis: 6:00

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.834.a

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicts a reclining female figure leaning against a shield with decorative patterns. The figure is clad in flowing garments and rests under a tree with detailed leaves. The artwork is circular and features inscriptions around the border. It is made of metal with a bronzed patina and a dark brownish-gold color, showcasing areas of lighter wear. The central female figure and tree are featured prominently within the round frame.

Florence Leaning on the Medici Shield [reverse]

Roman 16th Century

1513

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA.
[1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Hill, George Francis, and Graham Pollard. Renaissance Medals from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art. London, 1967: no. 240.

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 1:no. 276, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: IVLIANVS MEDICES L[aurentii] F[ilius] P[atricius] R[omanus]

Wikidata ID

Q63847778

You may be interested in

Loading Results